Charter Cities Podcast

Imagine a world where cities are not just places to live, but dynamic hubs of innovation, specialization, and cooperation. What if the cities of today are shaping the political and economic landscapes of tomorrow in ways we are only beginning to understand? In this episode, we dive deep into the heart of urban development with Ian Goldin, a leading expert on global development and urbanization. Ian is a renowned Professor of Globalisation and Development at the University of Oxford, where he directs the Oxford Martin School and the Oxford Martin Programme on Technological and Economic Change. In our conversation, we discuss the historical evolution of cities, the ways cities drive innovation, and the transition from manufacturing-based economies to knowledge-based economies. Explore the continued rise of major cities, the challenges they will face, the impact of remote work on urban clustering and economic geography, and how cities shape the politics of a country. Discover strategies for creating more accessible and equitable cities, why transport, education, and housing are vital, how urban policies need to change, mitigating climate change impacts through successful urbanization, and more! Tune in to uncover the hidden mechanisms behind urban success and the future of our rapidly urbanizing world with Ian Goldin!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Discover how cooperation, specialization, and innovation drive the evolution of cities.
• Unpack the role of diversity and connectivity in driving urban innovation.
• Learn about the key historical milestones in urban development.
• Impact of the Industrial Revolution on urban growth and specialization.
• Insights into the political implications of urban concentration.
• How cities can successfully transition from a manufacturing-based economy.
• Unpack the unique challenges faced by cities in developing countries.
• The future of industrialization and urbanization in a rapidly changing world.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Ian Goldin

Ian Goldin on X

Oxford University 

Age of the City

The Death of Distance

Charter Cities Institute

Charter Cities Institute on Facebook

Charter Cities Institute on X

Liberalism in China has taken many twists and turns. And in today’s episode, we explore its fascinating history, from its early pre-Western roots, all the way to its current incarnation within the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), and beyond. Joining us to unpack this fascinating topic is Evan Osborne, Professor of Economics at Wright State University, and author of the highly informative new book Markets with Chinese Characteristics: Economic Liberalism in Modern China. We talk with Evan about Chinese economic thought, the country’s economic history, and the role that the West has played in China’s liberalism. Evan shares his insights on how Western economic liberalism was first introduced to China in the mid-nineteenth century, before expanding on subsequent waves of expansion and repression over the next century. We then discuss the rebirth of economic liberalism in China over the past five decades, what the future of economic and political liberalism might look like in China, and the potential long-term implications of this. To learn more about economic liberalism in modern China, and the complex history that has led to this point, be sure to tune in to this fascinating conversation!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Introducing our guest, Evan Osborne, and his book, Markets with Chinese Characteristics.
• Unpacking the concept of economic liberalism.
• An overview of pre-Western, semi-liberal traditions in China.
• How China responded to Western ideas like those in The Wealth of Nations.
• The Chinese economy’s state of development with the arrival of Western powers.
• Freedoms that allowed Britain and other European countries to develop in key areas.
• The history of treaty ports and The Opium Wars.
• What subsequent political and economic transformations in China looked like.
• How these transformations spread into the interior of the country.
• Economic liberalization and how it helped facilitate a departure from imperial traditions.
• Unpacking the sharp turn against economic liberalism in China in the 20th century.
• How communist and Chinese theorists interpreted Adam Smith and other economic thinkers.
• What made the period of reform and openness in China possible after 1978.
• Why economic liberalization ended up being more successful in China than the Soviet Union.
• The Hokou (Household Registration) system in China; how relaxing it contributed to China’s rapid economic success.
• A closer look at the emergence of the entrepreneurial class and the business elite in China.
• The problem of corruption: how the Chinese government holds onto wealth and power.
• How Xi Jinping’s government has influenced liberalism in China.
• Evan’s predictions for the future of China’s politics and its economy.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Evan Osborne

Evan Osborne on LinkedIn

Markets with Chinese Characteristics: Economic Liberalism in Modern China

Adam Smith

The Wealth of Nations

The Road to Serfdom

The Opium Wars

Chinese Civil War

Deng Xiaoping

Karl Marx

Tiananmen Square incident

The Culture Transplant: The Culture Transplant: How Migrants Make the Economies They Move To a Lot Like the Ones They Left 

China's Gilded Age

Alibaba

Jack Ma

Ant Group

Charter Cities Institute

Charter Cities Institute on Facebook

Charter Cities Institute on X

Imagine Africa built their infrastructure using the same systems as the Western World. Embracing sustainability is a critical element of building a greener future for Africa and the world. Leander Moons is the Founding Owner of Studio OMT Architects, a mass timber architecture and urban design firm working in Africa and Europe. During this episode, he joins us to chat about building in Africa in collaboration with local communities. We discuss the rising industry of mass timber and its potential impact on the future of construction. We explore the opportunities and sustainability considerations for scaling timber construction in Africa, and the various projects in development by Leander's firm in Fumba Town Zanzibar; including Africa's tallest timber tower. Join us for an insightful conversation filled with hope for the impact of green choices in Africa on the world beyond its borders. Thank you for listening.

Key Points From This Episode:

• Background on Leander Moons, Founding Owner of Studio OMT Architects.
• What mass timber is and where it is predominantly used. 
• Considerations for combining modern materials with traditional methods.
• Barriers to developing a more robust local timber production industry.
• Sustainable practices in Tanzania and capitalizing on the lifecycle of a tree.
• Restoring forest life in the plantations and forests that have been lost due to monoculture.
• Research into the new products of engineered and mass timber.
• Tree engineering, breeding, and designing and associated challenges. 
• How Leander came to work in this industry in Africa.
• Promoting sustainability and local investment through landmark projects.
• The cost curve of timber as a raw material.
• A projected timeline of adoption for timber on a larger scale.
• How financing creates a blockage.
• Projects in planning including the CheiChei housing project.
• The importance of building sustainably in Africa and interacting meaningfully with the local communities. 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Leander Moons on LinkedIn

Studio OMT Architects

Charter Cities Institute

Charter Cities Institute on Facebook

Charter Cities Institute on X

How do you take the positive aspects of Silicon Valley, and apply it to a radically different context like developing charter cities? Today, Jeffrey Mason, Head of Research at the Charter Cities Institute (CCI), is joined by Mark Lutter, Founder and Executive Director of CCI, and CEO of Braavos Cities, to discuss how the charter cities ecosystem has evolved over the past few years and what he’s learned about building successful coalitions. Mark tells us about the circumstances that motivated him to found CCI, and what it’s been like combining key features of Silicon Valley, (like entrepreneurial spirit, disruption, and innovation) with the challenging work of creating a coalition of different stakeholders — some of whom are likely to be relatively conservative. We discuss the broader ecosystem that CCI has been building, and how it can act as a force multiplier for other cities, before learning more about CCI’s most recent projects, including their endeavors in Zanzibar and how they are contributing to development there. Mark also expands on his new company, Braavos Cities, their long-term goals, and the work that they are doing in the Caribbean. We wrap up our conversation with an overview of exciting developments to pay attention to in the charter cities space, from Zanzibar to California, and how to gain momentum in politically challenging environments. Be sure to tune in for a deep dive into the evolution of charter cities and their broader ecosystem!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Welcoming back Mark Lutter, executive chairman of the Charter Cities Institute (CCI).
• An overview of the factors and events that motivated Mark to found CCI.
• How CCI has adapted the positive aspects of Silicon Valley to the context of charter cities.
• Lessons from working with multiple stakeholders, including policymakers.
• Generating buy-in at the elite level of policymakers and other powerful constituencies.
• CCI’s goal to build a broader ecosystem that can act as a force multiplier for multiple cities.
• Key successes CCI has experienced over the past two years.
• Takeaways from their conference in Kigali during November 2023.
• Mark’s thoughts on recent news concerning celebrities and charter cities.
• An overview of the development project in Zanzibar and how CCI is contributing to it.
• What CCI is doing to increase the funnel of talent to Zanzibar.
• An outline of what they hope to achieve in Zanzibar over the next 25 years.
• Unpacking viable economic opportunities in Zanzibar and how they can diversify.
• Mark’s new company, Braavos Cities, and the work that they are doing in the Caribbean.
• How they get projects across the finish line in politically challenging environments.
• Advice on engaging with politicians, heads of government, and investors.
• Key insights on Braavos Cities, their goals, and what they are currently working on.
• What developments you should be paying attention to in the charter cities space.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Mark Lutter

Mark Lutter Charter Cities Institute

Mark Lutter on X

Mark Lutter on Medium

Braavos Cities

Jeffrey Mason on LinkedIn

Jeffrey Mason Charter Institute

Seasteading Institute

NeWay Capital

Próspera

Paul Romer

Paul Romer's TED Talk

Daniel Yu on LinkedIn

Wasoko

Africa's New Cities Summit Hosted by Charter Cities Institute

Silicon Zanzibar

Fumba Town

Stone Town of Zanzibar

Zuzalu

Tatu City

Small Farm Cities

Jon Vandenheuvel on LinkedIn

California Forever

Praxis

Charter Cities Institute

Charter Cities Institute on Facebook

Charter Cities Institute on X

Can a city hold the key to unlocking economic prosperity on a grand scale? In this episode, we sit down with Brooke Bowman and Mark Lutter to discuss charter cities and their role in addressing economic development challenges. Mark is a visionary thinker invested in progress, governance, social dynamics, and the concept of new cities. He is the Founder and Executive Chairman of the Charter Cities Institute and CEO of Braavos Cities, a pioneering charter city development company. Brooke is the founder of Vibecamp, a community that aims to foster connections and personal growth. Join us as we delve into the intricacies of community-building, economic development, and cultural influence. We unpack the concept of charter cities as a way to address economic development challenges and the importance of facilitating genuine connections with people through city developments and fostering community and co-living without excessive overhead. Tuning in, you’ll discover the value of creating spaces where like-minded individuals can gather and interact and how the intersection of co-creation and play drives culture and innovation. To learn how to unlock the potential of charter cities and create vibrant, sustainable communities with a focus on culture, innovation, and positive societal impact, don’t miss this conversation!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Introducing Mark, his background, and his interest in charter cities.
• The concept of Charter Cities and how they can alleviate poverty.
• Mark and Brooke’s experience of a pop-up community experiment called Zuzalu.
• How community gatherings help drive innovation in a society.
• Explore creating a sustainable community with a vibrant culture.
• The Neighborhood project and how it helping to build communities.
• What role the internet plays in facilitating the formation of real-life communities.
• Details about the governance structure of the Próspera development.
• Incorporating families and children into Vibecamp communities.
• Insights into how long communities will take to grow to scale.
• Why mimicking successful models from history is essential.
• The important sense of community and shared values that festivals provide.
• Why there is a need for economic development alongside community building.
• An overview of the legal mechanisms to ensure long-term success.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Brooke Bowman

Brooke Bowman on X

Mark Lutter

Mark Lutter on X

Braavos Cities

Vibecamp

The Network State Conference

Jason Benn

The Neighborhood

Cabin City

Charter Cities Institute

Charter Cities Institute on Facebook

Charter Cities Institute on X

What would it take to create the ideal jurisdiction for global tech companies to be able to grow and scale in Africa? Joining us today to unpack this question is Luqman Edu, co-founder and CEO of Itana, Nigeria’s first Digital Free Zone. Through their partnership with the Federal Government of Nigeria, Itana is creating an opportunity for global businesses to operate and provide services remotely, without being physically present in Nigeria. We use today’s conversation to delve into the ins and outs of building a Digital Free Zone, Itana’s ambition to become the Delaware of Africa, how this will help companies connect with untapped African talent, and what it will take to realize these goals. We discuss the key challenges startups and companies typically face when trying to do business in Nigeria or Africa, how Itana is solving these problems, the unique benefits they are offering to the first 100 companies to partner with them, and much more. You won’t want to miss out on this thought-provoking conversation with Luqmna Edu on Itana, the innovative work that they’re doing, and why success for Itana means success for Africa!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Introducing today’s guest, Luqman Edu.
• An overview of Itana, Nigeria’s first Digital Free Zone.
• Common challenges for companies doing business in Africa.
• Details on traditional Free Zones in Nigeria.
• Policy and legal measures for making Itana an authentic Digital Free Zone.
• A rundown of the incentives for working in Itana.
• The requirements for being able to operate in Itana.
• Itana’s physical campus and their goals for it.
• Insight into Itana’s progress thus far and the companies operating within Itana.
• How Itana is helping companies access Nigerian talent.
• Other Digital Free Zones across the world and how they have influenced Itana.
• Reflections on the future of Free Zones in Africa more generally.
• How Luqman’s experience in the public and private sector has shaped his choices for Itana.
• What they are doing to ensure Itana’s sustainability.
• The increasingly important role of tech in the Nigerian economy.
• How Itana wants to facilitate the success of tech companies across the continent.
• The Itana 100: who they are and how you can join!

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Luqman Edu on LinkedIn

Itana

Itana 100

Charter Cities Institute

Charter Cities Institute on Facebook

Charter Cities Institute on X

Many countries need radical structural transformation, specifically in more developing nations, and Growth Teams and made it part of their mission to empower developing countries to create jobs and grow their economies. Today, we are in conversation with the cofounders of Growth Teams, Kartik Akileswaran and Jonathan Mazumdar. The pair are here to discuss how their business is playing its part in creating economic stability in countries around the world. Our conversation begins with a breakdown of Growth Teams, how the company works, and why Kartik and Jonathan chose to build it. After taking a look at our guests’ professional backgrounds, we dive into the definition of structural transformation, assess its importance, discover why it’s so difficult to facilitate and brainstorm ways for governments to stand true to their promises of transformation. We also learn how Growth Teams gets involved in government outreaches, how it’s doing things differently to achieve better results, the countries it is working with, and everything the business has planned moving forward.  

Key Points From This Episode:

• What Growth Teams is all about and how Kartik and Jonathan came to found it
• Kartik and Jonathan's professional backgrounds
• The importance of structural growth and economic development
• Why the aforementioned issues are neglected by governments and policymakers
• Defining structural transformation
• The factors that make structural transformation difficult to facilitate
• Our guests’ advice for how governments can uphold their transformation reforms
• How labor mobility fits in
• Why government outreach programs have low skills retention, and how Growth Teams is fixing this
• A look at Growth Team's involvement in government outreaches and how it evolves during the process
• The countries that Growth Teams is working with and the company's plans for the future

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Kartik Akileswaran on LinkedIn

Jonathan Mazumdar on LinkedIn 

Growth Teams

‘Governance and Development'

The perspective of growth-enhancing governance’

‘Which World Bank Reports Are Widely Read?’

Pockets of Effectiveness

Charter Cities Institute

Charter Cities Institute on FacebookCharter Cities Institute on Xl

Affordable housing and economic development challenges in Africa are multifaceted and interconnected, but what is the solution? In today’s conversation, we sit down with Jon Vandenheuvel, the founder of Small Farm Cities Africa and senior advisor for the Charter Cities Institute. Small Farm Cities integrates horticulture, aquaculture, infrastructure, and residential housing for ownership and wealth creation throughout Africa. Jon is a visionary leader in agribusiness, municipal infrastructure development, and applied technology systems. His impactful work spans multiple African nations, where he has spearheaded infrastructure, agribusiness, and e-commerce initiatives to help foster economic growth. In our conversation, we unpack his hyper-affordable agribusiness concept, the importance of systems solutions to systems problems like poverty, and how Jon came to be building new cities in Africa. Discover his definition of affordable housing, what is stunting the development of African countries, and why formal ownership of housing and land is so crucial for Africa. We delve into why building and storing wealth is a core value of Small Farm Cities, how the company plans to scale, leveraging the industrial sector for development, realizing Africa's economic potential, and much more! Jon also shares details about the success of their pilot project in Malawi and how the concept is resulting in larger projects he is currently working on. To find out how Jon is driving housing accessibility and development in Africa, tune in now!

Key Points From This Episode:

• The definition of a small farm city and details about the first community he built.
• Affordable formal ownership of housing and why it is significant for African countries.
• Providing an affordable housing baseline while incorporating building options.
• Learn about the company’s approach to housing modularity and scaling. 
• Jon shares his approach to sourcing and developing talent for Small Farm Cities. 
• Scaling the company’s method and how it is entering the light industrial sector. 
• Unlocking Africa’s industrial potential to build communities and cities. 
• Malawi’s Special Economic Zone Law and why it is a win for the country.
• Valuable lessons and takeaways from their project in Ghana. 
• Transitioning refugee cities into investable and productive cities. 
• His professional background and career journey to Small Farm Cities. 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Jon Vandenheuvel on LinkedIn

Small Farm Cities

Africa Risk Dashboard

Leif Van Grinsven on LinkedIn

Starlink

Rio Tinto

The Mystery of Capital

National Planning Commission

Thomas Munthali on LinkedIn

MIT School of Architecture and Urban Planning

Foundation for a Smoke-Free World

Patri Friedman on LinkedIn

Pronomos Capital

Charter Cities Institute

Charter Cities Institute on Facebook

Charter Cities Institute on X

Ethiopia's Developmental State model has garnered attention for its ambitious goals and efforts to transform the economy, but has it been successful? Joining us today is Tom Lavers, Senior lecturer in Politics and Development at The University of Manchester, to help navigate this complex topic. Tom is a dedicated researcher whose passion lies in exploring the intricate interplay between social and political dynamics amid structural shifts. His research is characterized by a nuanced investigation into the changing socio-political landscapes and the evolving relationships between states and societies. In our conversation, we delve into Ethiopia's political coalition shifts and explore the government's achievements and setbacks in fostering development. We discuss Ethiopia’s complex historical roots, how statehood has significantly shaped Ethiopia's development trajectory, the distributive crisis in Ethiopia, and the factors contributing to Ethiopia's current challenges. Gain valuable insights into the country’s industrial landscape, developmental strategies, geographical equity hurdles, urbanization shifts, and much more. Tune in for a comprehensive exploration of Ethiopia's developmental journey with expert Tom Lavers! 

Key Points From This Episode:

• The definition of a developmental state and typical examples.
• Learn what a distributive crisis is and how it applies to Ethiopia.
• An overview of the successes and failures of Ethiopia’s government.
• Top-down versus bottom-up factors contributing to Ethiopia’s crisis.
• How centuries of statehood shaped Ethiopia’s developmental drive.
• Explore the evolution of Ethiopia’s land and agricultural sector.
• Ethiopia's equity and ethnically inclusive developmental strategies.
• Valuable insights into Ethiopia’s industrial landscape.
• Urbanization, industrialization, and the complex interplay with politics.
• Emerging trends and dynamics of urbanization in Ethiopia.
• Tom shares details about his next upcoming project.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Tom Lavers on LinkedIn

The University of Manchester

The Global Development Institute (GDI) 

Ethiopia's Developmental State: Political Order and Distributive Crisis

Seeing like a State 

The NYU Marron Institute

Charter Cities Institute

Charter Cities Institute on Facebook

Charter Cities Institute on X

In today's episode of Charter Cities, we're honored to welcome Lant Pritchett, a distinguished economist and a thought leader in development economics. Our deep-dive conversation will focus on the critical topic of growth diagnostics, exploring the complex challenges policymakers face in developing nations. Lant will illuminate the importance of identifying impactful actions for growth, emphasizing the need for rigorous debate and evidence-based decision-making. We'll also scrutinize the limitations of traditional development metrics like the "dollar a day" measure and consider alternative, more effective approaches. We'll also investigate innovative solutions like charter cities as a mechanism for fostering sustainable growth by addressing institutional challenges.

Key Points From This Episode:

• Why overemphasis on low-bar goals lead to ineffective randomized control trials in development
• How bright minds in development economics are missing the mark
• Policymakers in developing countries lack effective prioritization, not ideas, for fostering economic growth
• Tony Blair's approach focuses on achievable priorities but could benefit from rigorous initial diagnostics for high-impact actions
• Developing countries grow fast but collapse easily due to fragile "deals-based" governance, unlike OECD's robust rule-based systems
• Prioritizing the prevention of growth decelerations; reforms can help but need better diagnostics
• Shifting focus from economic growth blamed on the end of the Cold War and structural adjustment failures
• Weighing charter cities: positives include a focus on urbanization and productivity; challenges involve credibility and feasibility of implementing change
• Emphasizing the need for experimentation and policy diversity
• How migration from low to high TFP countries can yield 40x greater income gains than anti-poverty programs
• Labor mobility increasingly viable due to demographic shifts and political change
• Urbanization requires new approaches to ensure inclusive, opportunity-driven growth in cities

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

RISE

Harvard Kennedy School

Charter Cities Institute

Charter Cities Institute on Facebook

Charter Cities Institute on Twitter